Japan is no stranger to major disasters, particularly earthquakes. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 illustrates that point over the course of a series, and just three weeks ago a pair of groundshakers rocked Japan at 7.1 and 6.5 on the scale. 1995's Kobe earthquake claimed over six thousand lives. I think we can forgive the Japanese for knowing that earthquakes are serious business.

That said, I'm left with a sour taste in my mouth after the television spot aired on Disaster Prevention day went to such pains to show how little foreigners know about earthquakes and how to act in the event of one. They took great care to show which countries the folks they interviewed on the street  where from, and even made the guest in the little PIP window on the lower left look properly miffed. Granted, that one guy who said that French people liked earthquakes sounded like a total jerk. 

Earthquakes are not a joke. We get it. You didn't need to go calling all our countries' embassies to ask them about our 'quake stats, then color in a world map to show who's got the most. I mean, some of us actually envy you people for taking them so seriously, what with your well-spec'd high-rises and fancy quake simulators.

Y'know, that simulator is pretty wild. I actually went into one on a study tour some years ago. Sat under a table, next to a girl I liked. Nearly broke my nose when our heads collided. True story! But still, earthquakes are no joke.